Squeegee with selectable rotation mode

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device includes a handle, having a longitudinal axis, and a cleaning body, having a cleaning plane, arranged to contact and wipe a surface. The cleaning device also includes a first pivotal constraint arranged to allow a relative rotation between the handle and the cleaning body about a first rotation axis orthogonal to the cleaning plane and a second pivotal constraint arranged to allow a relative rotation between the handle and the cleaning body about a second rotation axis parallel to the cleaning plane. The cleaning device also includes a first selection mechanism arranged to make the first pivotal constraint to pass between a free rotation mode. The handle and the cleaning body can rotate freely to each other with respect to the first rotation axis, a locked rotation mode but cannot rotate to each other with respect to the first rotation axis and a constrained rotation mode.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 35 USC § 371 national stage of InternationalApplication No. PCT/IB2020/054790, which was filed May 5, 2020 andclaims the benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 102019000007069,filed May 21, 2019, both of which are incorporated herein by referenceas if fully set forth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of surface cleaning tools.

In particular, the invention relates to a squeegee with a joint capableof allowing different rotation modes.

BACKGROUND

Squeegee are known which comprise different rotation mechanisms betweenthe handle and the cleaning blade, in order to facilitate the use andadapt the position of the cleaning blade to different phases of cleaninga glass or other similar surface.

In addition to allow the blocking of the cleaning blade according to acertain angle of rotation with respect to the handle, these rotationmechanisms can allow the operator to use the squeegee in the “swivel”mode, i.e. with a free rotation between the cleaning blade and thehandle that allows to speed up the sweeping of the glass according tovariable directions.

An example is shown in BE1024299, which describes a squeegee comprisinga handle and a cleaning body rotatable around a first rotation axis, towork in “swivel” mode. Furthermore, the cleaning body can be locked inat least two positions.

However, this “swivel” mode can be difficult for an inexperienced userto use, as it can cause the blade to jam when it is parallel to thehandle, greatly slowing down the cleaning operation.

There are known mechanisms in the prior art which allow to constrainthis rotation not to exceed 90°. However, these systems, unlike thosementioned above, do not allow the blade to be placed parallel to thehandle, an essential position for cleaning at a great distance from theoperator.

Furthermore, there is a need for a system that allows you to choose theblade rotation mode to adapt to the various cleaning phases.

SUMMARY

It is therefore a feature of the present invention to provide a cleaningdevice surfaces which allows to choose the mode of rotation of the bladeto adapt to the various cleaning phases, even in the case of use by anon-expert user.

These and other objects are achieved by a cleaning device according tothe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristic and/or advantages of the present invention areillustrated by the following description of an exemplary embodimentthereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attacheddrawings in which:

FIG. 1A shows, in top view, an exemplary embodiment of the cleaningdevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 1B shows, in side view, the cleaning device FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A shows, in detail, a possible exemplary embodiment of the firstselection mechanism when the first pivotal constraint is in the lockedrotation mode;

FIG. 2B shows an exemplary embodiment of the first selection mechanismof FIG. 1A when the first pivotal constraint is in the constrainedrotation mode;

FIG. 2C shows an exemplary embodiment of the first selection mechanismof FIG. 1A when the first pivotal constraint is in the free rotationmode;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C schematically show a possible exemplary embodimentof the first selection mechanism with the crown and the selector,respectively, in the relative positions P₁, P₂ and P₃;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show, respectively in top and front view, a possiblealternative of the first selection mechanism;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the cleaning device of FIGS. 1Aand 1B, in the constrained rotation mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cleaning device 100 comprises ahandle 110, for the grip of the cleaning device 100 by a user, and acleaning body 120 comprising a blade arranged to wipe a surface, inparticular a glass.

The cleaning device 100 also comprises a first pivotal constraint 130arranged to allow a relative rotation α between the handle 110 and thecleaning body 120 about a first rotation axis x orthogonal to thecleaning plane π defined by the cleaning body 120.

The cleaning device 100 comprises then a second pivotal constraint 140arranged to allow a relative rotation β between the handle 110 and thecleaning body 120 about a second rotation axis γ parallel to thecleaning plane π.

With reference even at FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the cleaning device 100comprises then a first selection mechanism 150 arranged to make thefirst pivotal constraint 130 to switch between:

-   -   a free rotation mode, where the handle 110 and the cleaning body        120 can rotate freely to each other with respect to the first        rotation axis x [FIG. 2C];    -   a locked rotation mode, wherein said handle 110 and said        cleaning body 120 cannot rotate to each other with respect to        said first rotation axis x [FIG. 2A];    -   a constrained rotation mode, where the relative rotation α has a        maximum value equal to a predetermined value {tilde over (α)}        [FIG. 2B].

Such value a can be for example of 90°.

The selection mechanism 150 can be operated by the user by the button150′, visible in FIG. 1A.

In particular, the selection mechanism 150 comprises a crown 159 thathas at least two distant teeth 151 and two close teeth 152, and aselector 155. The selector 155 is adapted to carry out a relativetranslation, in particular in a radial direction with respect to thecrown 159, to switch between 3 mode of rotation, due to the translationof the button 150′.

In particular, in FIG. 2A the selector 155 is in the position P₂ wherethe selector 155 is at a minimum distance d_(min) with respect to thecenter c of the crown 159 and is blocked between two close teeth 152.This way, the first pivotal constraint 130 is in the locked rotationmode. Such mode can be used for blocking the relative rotation α atdifferent relative angles between the handle 110 and the cleaning body120, from the angle wherein handle 110 and cleaning body 120 areorthogonal to the angle wherein they are parallel to each other.

In FIG. 2B the selector 155 is in the position P₃ where the selector 155is at an intermediate distance d_(med) with respect to the center c ofthe crown 159 and, during the relative rotation α, can meet only the twodistant teeth 151. This way, the first pivotal constraint 130 is in theconstrained rotation mode.

In this mode it is possible to use the cleaning device 100 in the“swivel” mode preventing the jamming of the blade of the cleaning body120 even by an inexperienced operator.

In FIG. 2C the selector 155 is in the position P₁ where the selector 155is at a maximum distance d_(max) with respect to the center c of thecrown 159 and, during the relative rotation α, cannot meet neither adistant tooth 151 nor a close tooth 152. This way, the first pivotalconstraint 130 is in the free rotation mode.

This mode, in addition to allow use the cleaning device 100 in the“swivel” mode, allows the user to switch between the constrained modeand the blocked mode, or to block the rotation at different anglesbetween the handle 110 and the cleaning body 120; FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3Cschematically show the operation of a possible exemplary embodiment ofthe selection mechanism 150 similar to that of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C.

In particular, in FIG. 3A the first pivotal constraint 130 is in thelocked rotation mode with the selector 155 blocked between the internalclose teeth 152 and, therefore, with the handle 110 and the cleaningbody orthogonal to each other.

In FIG. 3B the first pivotal constraint 130 is in the constrainedrotation mode with the selector 155 free to slide between the distantteeth 151 during the relative rotation α.

In FIG. 3C the first pivotal constraint 130 is in the locked rotationmode with the selector 155 blocked between the external close teeth 152′and, therefore, with the handle 110 and the cleaning body parallel toeach other.

In the FIGS. 4A and 4B it is shown a possible alternative of the firstselection mechanism 150, wherein the crown 159 may have 3 planes 159 a,159 b and 159 c on which the teeth 151, 152 and 152′ can be arranged indifferent possible combinations.

For example, the distant teeth 151 and the external close teeth 152′ canbe arranged in the plane 159 a, whereas the close teeth inner 152 can bearranged in the plane 159 b. This way, by making the selector 155 moveaxially, it is possible to move it between one plane and another,allowing the first pivotal constraint 130 to pass between theaforementioned rotation modes.

The plane 159 c, not including teeth, can be used both for freerotation, and for making the selector 155 to pass between the positionblocked between the internal close teeth 152 and that one blockedbetween the external close teeth 152′. Such plane 159 c may also not bepresent.

Although not shown in the figure for simplicity, all the variousembodiments which make use of teeth arranged on at least two planes ofthe crown 159 are covered by FIGS. 4A and 4B, allowing the selector 155to move both in the axial and radial position with respect to the crownitself.

The foregoing description some exemplary specific embodiments will sofully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, sothat others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modifyand/or adapt in various applications the specific exemplary embodimentswithout further research and without parting from the invention, and,accordingly, it is meant that such adaptations and modifications willhave to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. Themeans and the materials to realize the different functions describedherein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departingfrom the field of the invention, it is to be understood that thephraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

1. A cleaning device (100) comprising: a handle (110) graspable by a user, said handle comprising a longitudinal axis z; a cleaning body (120) arranged to wipe a surface, said cleaning body (120) comprising a cleaning plane π arranged in contact with said surface; a first pivotal constraint (130) arranged to allow a relative rotation α between said handle (110) and said cleaning body (120) about a first rotation axis x orthogonal to said cleaning plane π; a second pivotal constraint (140) arranged to allow a relative rotation β between said handle (110) and said cleaning body (120) about a second rotation axis γ parallel to said cleaning plane π; a first selection mechanism (150) configured to alternatively arrange said first pivotal constraint (130) in a free rotation mode, wherein said handle (110) and said cleaning body (120) can rotate freely to each other with respect to said first rotation axis x, and in a locked rotation mode, wherein said handle (110) and said cleaning body (120) cannot rotate to each other with respect to said first rotation axis x; said cleaning device (100) said first selection mechanism (150) is also configured to arrange said first pivotal constraint (130) in a constrained rotation mode, wherein said relative rotation α has a maximum value equal to a predetermined value {tilde over (α)}.
 2. The cleaning device (100), according to claim 1, wherein {tilde over (α)}=90°.
 3. The cleaning device (100), according to claim 1, wherein {tilde over (α)}=60°.
 4. The cleaning device (100), according to claim 1, wherein said relative rotation α is symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis z.
 5. The cleaning device (100), according to claim 1, wherein said selection mechanism (150) comprises a crown (159) that has at least two distant teeth (151) and two close teeth (152,152′), and a selector (155), said crown (159) and said selector (155) arranged for carrying out a relative translation to switch between: a relative position P₁ wherein during said relative rotation α said selector (155) cannot meet either a distant tooth (151) nor a close tooth (152,152′) and said first pivotal constraint (130) is in said free rotation mode; a relative position P₂, wherein said selector (155) is blocked between two close teeth (152,152′) or between a close tooth (152,152′) and a distant tooth (151) and said first pivotal constraint (130) is in said locked rotation mode; a relative position P₃, wherein during said relative rotation α said selector (155) can meet only said two distant teeth (151) and said first pivotal constraint (130) is in said constrained rotation mode.
 6. The cleaning device (100), according to claim 5, wherein said relative translation is carried out in a radial direction with respect to said crown (159) and wherein: in said relative position P₁ said selector (155) is at a maximum distance d_(max) with respect to the center c of said crown (159); in said relative position P₂, said selector (155) is at a minimum distance d_(min) with respect to the center c of said crown (159); in said relative position P₃, said selector (155) is at an intermediate distance d_(med) with respect to the center c of said crown (159).
 7. The cleaning device (100), according to claim 5, wherein said relative translation is carried out in an axial direction with respect to said crown (159).
 8. The cleaning device (100), according to claim 5, wherein said relative translation is carried out both in a radial direction and in an axial direction with respect to said crown (159).
 9. The cleaning device (100), according to claim 1, wherein a second selection mechanism (160) is also provided arranged to make said second pivotal constraint (140) pass between: a free rotation mode, wherein said handle (110) and said cleaning body (120) can rotate freely to each other with respect to said second rotation axis γ; a locked rotation mode, wherein said handle (110) and said cleaning body (120) cannot rotate to each other with respect to said first rotation axis γ. 